Prob an old topic. THE HARLEY VALUE MYTH. Debunked. Or reality?

[rjk555_imp]

There are great Harley models and great Honda models, regardless of resale value. As others have said, let's all just enjoy our bikes and the sport.

[ride4now_imp]

There are great Harley models and great Honda models, regardless of resale value. As others have said, let's all just enjoy our bikes and the sport.

Amen brother!!

[Blockhead_imp]

The LAST thing I think about when buying a bike (or a truck) is the resale value. I just wanna ride 'em and have fun...I feel very fortunate that I have the means to afford a toy like this. I sat with it in the garage and petted it all day yesterday...hahaha, was too cold to ride.

[rboe]

A buddy of mine that tracks fair market value on bikes has commented on more than one occasion that Harley's hold their value better than other brands. But that is just one data point one takes in when making a purchasing decision and some folks will place more stock in that than others (my buddy bought an old Triumph single, a GL1000 and a new Victory; he has owned Harley's in the past and will likely own another but his wife picked the next new bike because she wants to ride pillion again and didn't care for the last Harley; a Road King).

HD makes a good bike, if they have one that matches your riding style; excellent resale value may be the trump card for you in deciding on a HD or one of the many metric cruisers.

If none of the HD bikes suit you then fair market value is pretty much meaningless to you anyway. Make your choice and ride it, get your moneys worth out of it by riding it.

At this point, being on two wheels is more important than brand. Motorcycles as a hobby or as primary transportation is on the verge of being meaningless and we could do a better job of selling bikes to younger people; regardless of brand, if we still want choices in the future.

[Romo1969_imp]

I should just let this go...but it is a fair question, all prejudices aside. Per KBB, here's some numbers. 2013 HD Superglide Custom, trade in value, $9670.00.
Retail value $12,170. That's 73% and 92% of Harley's list price of $13,199.0 per their web site. The 2013 Honda CB1100, trade in value, $5750.00. Retail value, $8325.00. That's 57% and 83% of Honda's list price of $9999.00. So... 2 bikes in one year don't make it gospel, but it's reality as I see it. Look, as many have said before... it's a bike...ride what you love and don't worry about the others. Just ride. And as Ferret has said...'All bikes are cool, some are just cooler than others'.

Really bad comparo though since the cb is a niche bike and gets hammered in value. The supergide is like a Camry is in the car world.
But I appreciate the comparo just for discussion and fun.
Maybe a shadow or even better a gold wing would show a completely different angle.

Also keep in mind what happens to the 2-3k put into the HD for custom farkle. HD peeps love farkle. Evidence to the vast array of stuff on the market for that make.

And we all know not one person here is gonna sell their bike for kbb value. But it's a start in determining value on a very very basic level.


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[Elipten_imp]

I have never thought about resale value when I buy a motorcycle. This is an entertainment luxury item. I have thought about the insurance cost however as I there is a line to my practical side. Buy it, ride it and enjoy. I am in the mountains of Peru, and there are lots of small motorcycles. For almost every rider here they are work machines versus us in USA where they are recreational vehicles.


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[Pauley]

I've had buyer's remorse to a some degree on everything I have ever bought in my life: houses, cars, bicycles, you name it. With my CB1100 - I couldn't be happier with it. No remorse at all. Perfect bike for me in every way. Probably why I put off getting back in to motorcycling for so long - just waiting for this to hit the market. Don't give a rip about resale value because I just want to ride it.

[ride4now_imp]

I should just let this go...but it is a fair question, all prejudices aside. Per KBB, here's some numbers. 2013 HD Superglide Custom, trade in value, $9670.00.
Retail value $12,170. That's 73% and 92% of Harley's list price of $13,199.0 per their web site. The 2013 Honda CB1100, trade in value, $5750.00. Retail value, $8325.00. That's 57% and 83% of Honda's list price of $9999.00. So... 2 bikes in one year don't make it gospel, but it's reality as I see it. Look, as many have said before... it's a bike...ride what you love and don't worry about the others. Just ride. And as Ferret has said...'All bikes are cool, some are just cooler than others'.

Really bad comparo though since the cb is a niche bike and gets hammered in value. The supergide is like a Camry is in the car world.
But I appreciate the comparo just for discussion and fun.
Maybe a shadow or even better a gold wing would show a completely different angle.

Also keep in mind what happens to the 2-3k put into the HD for custom farkle. HD peeps love farkle. Evidence to the vast array of stuff on the market for that make.

And we all know not one person here is gonna sell their bike for kbb value. But it's a start in determining value on a very very basic level.


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Really bad comparo though since the cb is a niche bike and gets hammered in value. The supergide is like a Camry is in the car world.
But I appreciate the comparo just for discussion and fun.
Maybe a shadow or even better a gold wing would show a completely different angle.

Also keep in mind what happens to the 2-3k put into the HD for custom farkle. HD peeps love farkle. Evidence to the vast array of stuff on the market for that make.

And we all know not one person here is gonna sell their bike for kbb value. But it's a start in determining value on a very very basic level.


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2013 Honda Shadow RS, retail price $8240. KBB trade in value $4345. KBB retail price $6305. That's 53% and 77% after one year... real starting numbers just like the others. However I'd probably compare that bike with the Ford Focus. If the Superglide is like a Camry, then this one is clearly like a Focus. That means my KLR is probably like a Jeep Wrangler. That's cool!

[bubblerboy64_imp]

You take terrible hit on any new vehicle the first year or so. Harley's typically cost more so you are going to loose more (does a percentage make a difference). I've bought and sold more bikes then any one in their right mind should have over the last number of years. If money matters buy used and if you shop well you can play with used bikes and not spend big bucks. I'd say on a rough average you can buy a used bike and sell it in a year and maybe drop $1500 in taxes and depreciation. You might even do better if you buy it "right" might just loose tax money.

Buy a new motorcycle and you're going to pay thru the nose if you sell in a year.

I personally do not see a significant difference Harley to Honda. Your experience may be different.

Harley is a good bike and I've enjoyed owning a couple of them. Just be happy you can enjoy the motorcycle experience and don't dwell on what others do. Half the time I can't figure out why I do what I do let alone what others do. Harley's are real pretty bikes and some times a fellow just can't rationalize his decisions.

More money than brains might apply or if it SEEMS worth the money it is. Really glad we have a bunch of different bikes to pick from.

[Mike Bee_imp]

<SNIP>

I have nothing against those who dig Harley Davidsons, more power to them.
[/quote]

Well said.
I wonder if the HD crowd is so graceful.


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[/quote]

The H-D crowd is here! I bought a new Electra Glide in 1989 and sold it five years later at a $1500 dollar profit. Not a likely scenario today for obvious reasons. But all five Harley's I've had the pleasure to own have been bullet proof and very reliable over the years. When I buy a motorcycle, resale value is way down my priority list, and I know a troll when I read one.

~ The Bee